MTM1 Review

Tone, features and playability make the MTM1 as awe-inspiring (and dangerous looking) an instrument as the artist who designed it. This is a guitar made for heavy rock and metal.

Features:	7.7
Sound:	9.7
Action:	9.3
Reliability:	9.3
Impression:	8.3
Overall rating:	8.9
Users rating:	7.6
Comments:	29

overall: 10

Featured review by: allanon88, on november 02, 2006

Price paid: $ 0.79

Purchased from: Giovanni Music

Features: This guitar was made in Korea in 2006. It has 24 jumbo frets on a quite skinny neck, which is good for my smaller hands. It has a full mahogany body with a thru-neck design and a blood-red finish with all-black hard ware. It is a tele-style body and it has an Edge FX double locking fixed bridge. The guitar comes in Mick Thompson's tuning (B f# b e g# c#) straight from the factory. There are two active EMG humbucker pickups (EMG 60 for neck and EMG 81 for bridge). There is only a volume knob and a pickup selector. The pickup selector has 3 positions. A cable and some hex-wrenches came in the box also. // 10

Sound: I play mostly metal (COB, SOAD, Slipknot, Trivium etc), and classic rock. If you do not play metal you might want to reconsider buying this guitar, because this is a metal machine. I plug it into a grunge pedal and a Fender Metalhead half-stack and it sounds absolutely amazing. Due to the active pickups and mahogany body this baby will sustain forever and squeal out some pinch harmonics like a pig. The tone has some serious richness to it but it can also be clear and bright using clean tone. It was also suprisingly light. I compared it to my IC200 and it was like a feather compared to it. I also play some country and this guitar performs excellent although it is certainly made for metal and it plays like it was made for metal. I was actually suprised by the versatility especially for a guitar designed by Mick himself. The action was good although I lowered just a bit. I can shred like a mother on this thing as the action is good and the neck is skinny and fast. // 10

Action, Fit & Finish: As I said before the action was good and the neck was fat. The volume control was dead silent which is one of my favorite things. Also the fine tuning knobs on the bridge are so easy to turn compared to my Jackson SL3 Soloist it wasn't even funny. Every little detail on this guitar is perfect. The 'Seven' inlay is also eye-cathing and is also very well done. // 10

Reliability & Durability: This giutar will not only withstand Live playing but maybe a nuclear blast also. This is probably one of the biggest reasons I chose this guitar. Hey, if Mick Thompson can use it live then I'm sure it is pretty solid. Even the stap buttons are solid. I would use it for a gig with no backup no questions asked. This guitar will be super reliable I am sure of this. // 10

Impression: I have been playing metal and rock for 5 years and this guitar fits my needs absolutely perfectly. I have a Jackson SL3 Soloist and an Ibanez IC200 and they don't even come close to this guitar on any level. If it were stolen I would hunt that person down and beat them to death with their own leg. I love everything about this guitar except that the finish on the neck can get kind of sticky. The only things I wish it had are a tone knob and and a Mick Thompson signature somewhere on it. // 10

Reviewed by: unregistered, on october 06, 2008

Purchased from: ebay

Features: The reviews are right is was made in korea and what a beaut. The fret where like ribbing your hands along silk they where amazing and not too big for my liking either just right(prob because I have the same size hands as Mick thompson). The body 1 word flawless, body design Ibanez RG350 convert, 1 volume that's all you'll ever need, PIck-ups EMG 81 neck(aawww) EMG60 bridge(SWEET), the locking bridge you could throw it against a all and it'l still be in tune. I did also get a Ibanez case, dimazio locking strap and the allun keys aswell. // 10

Sound: This guitar belive it or not is very vesitile it can do some really cool type of sounds from blues(if you can do them) to rock and even country. The amp I have is a spider 3 Line 6 30 watter on insane mode this guitar throws out harmonics like old rubbish, with little ease you can tune all your notes into pinch harmonics. Full of rich sound when you want to but amazing for rock and metal which is what I mostly play anyway all my other guitars I play but not as much as this. // 10

Action, Fit & Finish: Dude the tunningfrom the factory was awesome really tests even the most experenced guitarest, the pick-ups didn't find any problems they where in nice and tight and down low, the bridge was a little werid to handle a first but you get used to it. The guitar had not one flaw which is really werid coming for ebay as you would think they have several. // 10

Reliability & Durability: This guitar is made for onstage and will stand anything, the hardware will last a long long time as it's black and very solid and the strap buttons are like rocks they are not going to move, poeple will kill me for saying this but I have swung this guitar around my body and them buttons where brill, the finish is underated you look at it and think that would last very long but it does and it will keep it's amazing colour for a long while. // 10

Impression: My style of music is mostly metal so this guitar was made for it and does what it says on the box, I have been playing for coming on a year and this guitar coupled together with a 30 watt line 6, a line 6 POD it is total creamage for any guitarest, The guitar would have been better with a signature from mick but uuhh still awesome without it. If it where stolen I would find the person and make them eat their inside with a very rusty fork and knife, I love everything about this guitar nothing to hate and no favorite thing either, do however love the inlay that on it's own is an eyecatcher.
I wouldn't compare it to anything as it's amazing to play have and to show off with so no compaing here. // 10

Reviewed by: unregistered, on january 18, 2007

Purchased from: unknown

Features: When looking at the MTM1, probably the first thing that will catch your eye is the double locking fixed bridge. You see, the great thing about the Floyd Rose trem is that it is amazing for staying in tune through the heavy stress of a tremelo system. This guitar however doesnt't have a tremelo, it just has the bridge. The only reason I can really see as to why they included a Floyd Rose style fixed bridge is to make this guitar unique and, while it does make the guitar unique, it really just accentuates the flaws of a Floyd Rose (minimal tuning ability and exasperating string change times). Now, I am really a big fan of tweakability. I love a guitar with options, the more knobs and switches the better; this means far less moving about on stage. The thing with active pickups is that there are far more options as far as tweakability go; gain boosts, EQ knobs, etc. I really feel that by limiting the guitar to having just one volume knob, they just limit the tonal possibilities. In a perfect world, this guitar would have a volume and tone for each pickup as well as gain boosts and preamp adjustability. Combining the Floyd Rose fixed bridge and the complete lack of tonal adjustability really makes for a guitar with lack luster features. Locking tuners accomplish the same thing that this guitar does, and they are far, far less inconvenient. I guess it could have been worse though, they could have taken off the volume knob and made it completely barren. // 3

Sound: This guitar has a great sound for metal, Just like you'd expect from a guitar stocked with EMG's. The good thing about the sound is that, if your so gung ho as to get this guitar, then you're probably a pretty hardcore Slipknot fan, and being that this is the same guitar Mick plays, you're in for a pretty good treat. The EMG 81 is a great active pickup, used in Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, and many others. The only problem is that, if you're looking for versatility, you will not find it here. I play this guitar through a solid state Crate amp and a Carvin V16, It sounds great on the Crate, I really dig the high output and high sustain it gives. The Carvin however, being that it is more of a tweed style amp, isn't complimented very well by this guitar. I have also played it through a Blue Voodoo and a Carvin V3, I have to say that it really does make a pretty great metal tone. I'm going to rate this in terms of how good it sounds for metal, as I highly doubt anyone would be buying it without the intention of playing Metal. // 9

Action, Fit & Finish: When I got my guitar it was horridly out of tune and needed a setup, but being that I won it from a school contest that bought the thing from Guitar Center, the bad setup is to be expected. After adjusting the bridge, tuning it to Standard (I'm not too thrilled with the alternate tuning, but that's nothing really to do with the actual guitar, just personal preference), and tightening up some things here and there, it played really nicely. The action, once set up properly, is real low all the way down the bridge. You can expect amazingly good action when dealing with an Ibanez. // 8

Reliability & Durability: I've not had this guitar for a real long time, so it's hard to say anything of the longevity, but in terms of purely physical strength, it holds up very nicely. It withheld during a few Live preformances that got kind of hectic, and it also withstood the blunt trauma of ramming into someone's head (although I wouldn't recomend such practices). More or less everything on the guitar seemed pretty solid and durable, although I wouldn't recomend beating people with it as it's fairly lightweight and probably won't last too long if used as such. // 8

Impression: Overpriced and poorly designed. The bridge is an abomination and really just amounts to a lot of headaches and the lack of controls makes for lack of tonal versatility. If this were a $400 guitar I would recommend it, but given it's outstanding price (around $1200 depending on Who you buy it from) I can't recommend it. Ibanez makes quite a few other outstanding guitars with EMG's in it that will most definately recreate any sound this one can make and I can gurantee you that the construction will not be as back asswards as this guitar and, it will probably be cheaper. If you're buying it purely for the aesthetics that it is the same guitar Mick Thompson uses (bad idea) then I guess there is really nothing that can be said to stop you, but for everyone else that wants to get a good guitar, look elsewhere. The poor design really just made what could have been an outstanding guitar into something that, considering the elements involved, is really just more tedious and questionable than it is great. // 5

Comments

[Fossilized Love]

79 cents for that?

Damn

[d_byrne23]

too me its just a rg but your payin for the mick thompson'ness of it, nice guitar, but id just get a 1570 or something and throw pups in er

[Metalology]

I don't mind the colour and the inverted headstock is kinda cool. But, I don't like EMG p-ups, no tone knob and the fixed Floyd Rose.

[Rock Boy]

Looks great, but it is a super strat body. In the first review, it is written that it is a tele style body. That's completely wrong, it's a superstrat style! The finish is awesome, but i miss a tone knob and I think DiMarzio pickups are better that EMG

[chobbsy]

Metalology wrote:

I don't mind the colour and the inverted headstock is kinda cool. But, I don't like EMG p-ups, no tone knob and the fixed Floyd Rose.

a fixed floyd rose, does that mean it has one but it doesnt move? :S (soz n00b question)

[PLOP]

how long would it take to retune a fixed FR?

[thesimo]

chobbsy wrote:

Metalology wrote:

I don't mind the colour and the inverted headstock is kinda cool. But, I don't like EMG p-ups, no tone knob and the fixed Floyd Rose.
a fixed floyd rose, does that mean it has one but it doesnt move? :S (soz n00b question)

yes, the benefits of fine tuners, but without the reliability problems of a floyd. i think thats wise for a slipknot gig

[Green_Jelly]

With a tone knob and without the inlay this would be my dream guitar. RGR's ftw. By the way, what made you think the body is tele-style?

[Anarion614]

why did this get a 5 for user rating?

[MESAexplorer]

Anarion614 wrote:

why did this get a 5 for user rating?

Its good for what it is, but it really does lack the features when comparing it to other guitars of the same price range.

[Ibzman]

Why would someone buy this when he can buy a RGA, way more reliable and the sound must be way better, I hate those fixed floyd rose bridge, whats the point of havin' a floyd if u cant use it ? even the fine tuners dont justify this, You can buy Steinberger tuners (those have a 40:1 ratio) and you'll be more than equipped for your tuning stability

[allanon88]

oops, sorry yash its 1500 dollars canadian and i ****ed up on the body type. my bad guys. Also PLOP, it doesnt take long at all to re-tune this beast.

[Tedward]

hey i have an ic200 to but that guitar is damn sexy

[BanjoFantastico]

s 520 BYAAHH

[Trenton]

Rock Boy wrote:

Looks great, but it is a super strat body. In the first review, it is written that it is a tele style body. That's completely wrong, it's a superstrat style!

Actually, its based off of the Ibanez RG shape. Just like his BC Rich guitar off of a Warlock.

[InfiniteMisery]

From looking at the picture it seems as though this guitar has a rosewood fretboard. What the hell is up with that?! If you're going to spend close to £1000 on it you'd expect it to be made of the same woods that Mick himself uses. It spoils the look of the guitar not having an ebony fretboard.

[haz_uk]

Trenton wrote:

Rock Boy wrote:

Looks great, but it is a super strat body. In the first review, it is written that it is a tele style body. That's completely wrong, it's a superstrat style!
Actually, its based off of the Ibanez RG shape. Just like his BC Rich guitar off of a Warlock.

the rg shape is a superstrat...

and people, the bridge is NOT a floyd rose. its just a double locking edge iii fixed bridge with fine tuners. get over it.

[Shabalaba]

Firstly get over the shape, it the shape of a RG which is the same as the superstrat. Next it does seem that you are paying extra for the mick thompson ness of this guitar and you may aswell buy a different better one. Advantages is that it comes with active EMG's and it cool to show off, but practically nah.

[catnoise]

Ibzman wrote:

I hate those fixed floyd rose bridge, whats the point of havin' a floyd if u cant use it ? even the fine tuners dont justify this, You can buy Steinberger tuners (those have a 40:1 ratio) and you'll be more than equipped for your tuning stability

Its for sustain and tuning stability, wich basically is what the whole guitar is about.

[Serial 177]

I love this mutha trucka!!!!! i so badly want 1!! I played on 1 b4 Im a slipknot fan.. and this guitar does it 4 me

[Serial 177]

I love this AXE its a damn machine!!!! I Sooooo Badly want 1!!!! Im definatly a slipknot fan! but now im stuck between the MMM1 or This MTM1

[Skwisgaar]

HIS NAME IS FUCKING MICK THOMSON WITH NO P!! k got that done

[Jellyfish00]

lol, that dude payed less than a buck for this thing. no really, I think this guitar is nice if you play the music, and i like the seven graphics. But for god's sake, that color! can't they just make a black version of it or something. Except that, its a nice guitar.

[Serial 177]

yeah check the MTM2

[Natanüs]

Skwisgaar wrote:

HIS NAME IS FUCKING MICK THOMSON WITH NO P!! k got that done

oi ****head mick thompson's name is spelt with a 'p' ****tard get ur ****in facts straight you ****in retard

[no. 1 maggot]

Metalology wrote:

I don't mind the colour and the inverted headstock is kinda cool. But, I don't like EMG p-ups, no tone knob and the fixed Floyd Rose.

reverse headstocks increase string tension for down tuning. his name is mick thomson. jellyfish, the MTM2 is black but it looks shitty because of the white outline. this one has a black outline and that looks slightly better. the only reason i wouldn't play this live is due to the seven inlay. sure, buy someone elses dream but dont try and pass it off as your own

[no. 1 maggot]

oh and its not a floyd rose. yeah i don't like locking bridges. i like floating bridges but still. and EMG kick ass. in fact, BC Rich would be undoubtedly the best metal guitars if they had EMGs as standard. but they don't, so ibanez takes the cake.

[themightymitch]

Tedward wrote:

hey i have an ic200 to but that guitar is damn sexy

i have an ic400... HI5!!!

[Alhopeisgone]

Mean Guitar